Johnson College

2010 marked the 115th anniversary of the discovery of x-rays. Freshmen students in Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program celebrated the milestone by partaking in the Program’s Annual Poster Contest.

Students worked in teams to design posters that illustrated the history of and information about the Radiologic Technology field. The posters were displayed in the College’s library for all students, faculty, and staff to see.

The judges for this year’s contest included Linda Learn, Assistant Director of Student Support Services/Counselor, Lynn Krushinski, Student Support Services Coordinator, Rich Mishura, General Education Division Chairperson, and Michele Srebro, Librarian/Resource Specialist.

The winners were:

First Place – “Quantum Hotel” by Edna Bradley, Alexandra Mepham, Tiffany Race

Second Place – “Tonite’s the Nite” by Carly Leach, Timothy Miller, Ryah Oswald

Third Place – “X-Ray Tubes” by Joseph Cimino, Heather Trudgeon, Robin Vaccaro

Honorable Mention – “Jeopardy” by Christine Geiser, John Heimbach, Kimberly Kuratnick

The Radiologic Technology Program Department honored the winning teams at a special luncheon. Winners received prizes, which consisted of gift cards for local restaurants and businesses.

 
From left to right: Heather Trudgeon ’12, Hackettstown, NJ; Joseph Cimino ’12, Effort, PA; Robin Vaccaro ’12, Pittston, PA; Edna Bradley ‘12, Thornhurst, PA; Tiffany Race ’12, Hughestown, PA; Alexandra Mepham ’12, Canadensis, PA; Ryah Oswald ’12, Scranton, PA; Carly Leach ’12, Old Forge, PA; Timothy Miller ’12, New Hope, PA; Lynn Krushinski, Student Support Services Coordinator; Rich Mishura, General Education Division Chairperson; Michele Srebro, Librarian/Resource Specialist

The winning entries for the 2010 Radiologic Technology Poster Contest

The CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Student Scholarship Fund Committee has established a scholarship for students in Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program.

The CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Student Scholarship will be awarded to two first-year Radiologic Technology students. The funds will give a generous financial boost to those who wish to attend the College.

Funding of the scholarship will be provided from contributions made through the Annual Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament.

Twenty-one years ago, Rich Vinansky started the Annual CMC Employee Golf Tournament. After Mr. Vinansky passed away, his colleagues and friends took the reins, renaming the event the Annual Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament

Jay Kurilla and Jim Lopatka serve as Co-Chairs for the Tournament. This new scholarship was established because those involved wished to see the proceeds from the event go to a worthy cause. Mr. Kurilla expressed, “We felt that it would be a great tribute to our friend to donate in his memory for education of future Technologists.”

Jane Maas, MS, RT, Radiologic Technology Department Chairperson, states, “On behalf of the Radiologic Technology Program and its students, I would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Student Scholarship Fund Committee for presenting this award. Their foresight and generosity will greatly assist both present and future recipients of the scholarship in achieving their goals.”

From left to right: Jay Kurilla, Co-Chair of the Annual CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament; Joan Bonczek B.S. R.T., Clinical Coordinator/Instructor for Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program; Katie Leonard, Johnson College’s Director of Institutional Advancement; Jane Maas, MS, RT, Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Department Chairperson; Barbara Bossi, R.N., CMC’s Vice President of Patient Care Services; Jim Lopatka, Co-Chair of the Annual CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament

Students in Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program recently met with local professionals to learn more about their field of study.

On October 8, 2010, father and son, Samuel and Michael Payne, visited the senior class. The two men are Consultant Radiation Physicists. Mr. Samuel Payne delivered a presentation touching on the current standards associated with radiation practices, protection against radiation, and biologic issues related to radiation exposure.

On October 15, 2010, Jennifer Carney, a Physical Therapist at CMC Hospital in Scranton, spoke to both freshmen and seniors. Ms. Carney taught the students about the importance of maintaining the correct alignment of the spine while conducting any procedures where lifting is involved. She explained the “center of gravity” to the students and stressed how crucial it is to understand and how it becomes aligned when using proper lifting techniques. Ms. Carney also reviewed basic spine anatomy before she led lifting demonstrations in the labs. Students took turns transporting a patient from a rolling bed to an x-ray machine table by using regular bed sheets and a board.

For more information on the Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College, please contact Jane Maas, Department Chairperson, at 570-702-8939 or jmaas@johnson.edu.

 
From Left to Right (Back Row): Roxanne Caswell, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Instructor; Rich Mishura, General Education Chairperson; Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Coordinator; Samuel Payne, Medical Physicist; Michael Payne, Medical Physicist; Jane Maas, Radiologic Technology Program Chairperson
From Left to Right (Front Row): Ellen Raino ’11, Clarks Summit; Dominick Leonardo ‘11, Olyphant; Phil Colarossi ‘11, Clarks Green; Brittney Sholcosky ’11, Clarks Summit

From Left to Right (Back Row): Carrie Heater ‘12, Scranton; Alexandra Mepham ’12, Canadensis; Jane Maas, Radiologic Technology Program Chairperson; Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Program Clinical Coordinator; Jennifer Carney, CMC Physical Therapist; Carly Leach ’12, Old Forge; Joseph Cimino ’12, Effort
From Left to Right (Front Row): Kimberly Kuratnick ’12, Scranton; Chelsea David ’12, Honesdale; Nicole Barbone ’12, Moscow

Johnson College recently received a generous gift-in-kind donation from FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA, Inc.

Students can now train on Fujifilm’s state-of-the-art Synapse® Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) complete with widescreen workstation display and high capacity server. The system has the capacity to operate under the workload of a medium-sized hospital’s Radiology Department. PACS enables medical personnel to access and manage medical images and data securely and efficiently. The system eliminates the need to archive and transport x-ray films manually, improving productivity and reducing associated storage costs.

“As we look to the future, Fujifilm’s advanced technology will continue to play a significant role in the delivery of healthcare,” said Bob Cooke, Fujifilm’s Vice President and General Manager, Medical Informatics. “The donation of our Synapse PACS to Johnson College will provide the students with the advantage of gaining firsthand experience with the same sophisticated software that is being used at some of the country’s leading health systems.”

At a time when more and more hospitals are moving toward the electronic storage of medical information, three of Johnson College’s program areas will benefit from the Fujifilm donation. Radiologic Technology Program students will receive hands-on training with a PACS before entering the workforce. With its web browser accessible interface, students will be able to study images and case studies securely from their own homes.

Likewise, students in the Biomedical Equipment Technology Program will gain experience with the installation, integration, and service of a PACS. Specifically, the program’s Introduction to Medical Telecommunications & Networking course will allow students to explore the practices regarding data communications.

Exposure to a PACS will also aid the Computer Information Technology Program. Students will deal with the configuration and troubleshooting of the hardware and software.

Doug Hampton, Biomedical Equipment Technology Program chairperson, states, “Fujifilm is a good name in medical imaging. The donation will allow students to receive valuable training. Digital imaging and record management is an important growth-area in the medical industry right now.”

Visit www.johnson.edu to find out more about Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, or Computer Information Technology Programs. Further information about FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA, Inc. can be obtained at http://www.fujimed.com/.

From left to right: Carl Tucker, Territory Manager, Digital Imaging Sales, Fujifilm; Doug Hampton, Biomedical Equipment Technology Program Chairperson, Johnson College; Jane Maas, Radiologic Technology Program Chairperson, Johnson College; Katie Leonard, Director of Institutional Advancement, Johnson College; Don Cielewich, Regional Director Sales, Medical Informatics USA, Fujifilm

On December 15, 2009, residents of Mountain View Care Center in Scranton received a visit from Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program’s senior students and faculty members.

During the visit, Mountain View Care Center residents played a game of chance similar to Bingo. The Radiologic Technology students distributed prizes, which they had carefully selected before the event. Students also helped to set up for the event and assisted residents to and from their rooms.

Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program trains students to be Radiologic Technicians, which produce x-rays of parts of the human body. Radiologic Technicians must have appropriate patient care skills in order to prepare for examinations by explaining procedures and positioning patients.

“This community service project is not only personally rewarding, but also displays the student’s continued need to demonstrate care and compassion aligning with the health care field,” explains Ms. Joan Bonczek, B.S., R.T.R, Clinical Coordinator for Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology Program.

Over the course of the afternoon, students and faculty members interacted with over fifty individuals from the Care Center. Ms. Bonczek states, “I was told that the residents are already looking forward to our next visit.”

Radiologic Technology students pose with Mountain View Care Center Residents.
From left to right: Mountain View Care Center Resident; Andrea Simyan ’10, Lake Ariel, PA; Colleen Weisenfluh ’10, Moosic, PA; Jillanne Akers ’10, Scranton, PA; Mountain View Care Center Resident

From November 8-14, 2009, students in Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology program observed National Radiologic Technology Week® which celebrates the work of Radiologic Technicians in the health care field. Radiologic Technologists produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems on a diversified patient population. The celebration takes place each November, commemorating the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s discovery of the x-ray on November 8, 1895.

As part of the National Radiologic Technology Week® festivities, Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology students designed posters portraying the history of the field. The posters were set up in the College’s Moffat Building Cafeteria in order to educate the rest of the College’s population about the evolution and significance of Radiologic Technology.

From left to right: Cassandra Lynott ’11, Scranton, PA; Phillip Colarossi ’11, Clarks Green, PA; Dominick Leonardo ’11, Olyphant, PA; Kristen Ziomek ’11, Nanticoke, PA

Father and son Samuel and Michael Payne, visited Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology program’s senior class on September 23, 2009. Samuel and Michael Payne are Consultant Radiation Physicists. Mr. Samuel Payne delivered a presentation on Radiation Safety. Students became more knowledgeable of the history of X-rays, the effects of radiation, and present day standards of safety.

The Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College is a two-year competency based, learner centered program that combines both traditional academics and clinical education. The Program prepares graduates to enter the Radiology Profession as entry level technologists within weeks of completing the program. For more information on the Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College, contact Jane Maas, Department Chair at (570) 702-8939 or jmaas@johnson.edu.

From left to right (back): Mr. Richard Mishura, General Education Division Chairperson; Mr. Michael Payne, Consultant Radiation Physicist; Mr. Samuel Payne, Consultant Radiation Physicist; Ms. Joan Bonczek, Clinical Coordinator
From left to right (front): Ms. Jane Maas, Department Chair; Ms. Roxanne Caswell, Clinical Instructor

Jane Maas, M.S. RT, Department Chair of the Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College has announced an impressive 100% pass rate for the National Certification Exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

The ARRT is the world’s largest credentialing organization that seeks to ensure the highest quality patient care in Radiologic Technology. A person is certified by the ARRT after meeting educational preparation standards, complying with ethical standards, and passing the certification exam.

The class’s 100% pass rate began in 2007 and continues on with the graduating class of 2009. A total of 48 students have successfully passed the National Certification Exam. From 2005-2008, the Radiologic Technology Program’s job placement rate also reached 100%.

Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology program is a two year associate degree program developed in 2003 with its first graduating class in 2005.

In 2007, the program was awarded accreditation for eight years which is the maximum term awarded by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). This governing and accrediting body is the single agency renowned and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for programs in Radiography nationwide. The program is affiliated with many area hospitals and clinical sites which ensure that students receive the necessary clinical skills required for an entry level Radiologic Technologist.

Students praise the Radiologic Technology program. “The instructors are great,” states first year student Dominick Leonardo, Olyphant, regarding his favorite aspect of the program. Another significant element for the students is the hands-on education offered at Johnson College. Senior Charlene Battle, Carbondale, states, “When I graduate, I won’t just be pushed out into the job market. I’ll have experience.”

For more information on the Radiologic Technology Program at Johnson College, contact Jane Maas, Department Chair at (570) 702-8939 or jmaas@johnson.edu.

Current Radiologic Technology Program Students
From left to right: Charlene Battle ’10, Carbondale; Chris Russo ‘10, Lake Ariel; Kavina Wentland ‘11, Carbondale; Dominick Leonardo ‘11, Olyphant

Thursday, May 7th, Johnson College’s Radiologic Technology program seniors were honored at the Ramada Inn in Clarks Summit with pins to signify the successful completion of all program requirements. Also honored were the Clinical Instructors who guided the students through their clinical rotations for the past two years.

Jolen Brennan of Dunmore, Katie Searfoss, Ryan McLain of Scranton, Halea Kaplan of Tunkhannock, Cheri Chura of West Hazelton, and Selena Strausser of Scranton were awarded for their academic improvement, clinical achievement and excellence, leadership skills, and their dedication to the Radiologic Profession.

Students, instructors, family, and friends enjoyed the night celebrating the achievements of the Johnson College graduates, and reminiscing about their personal experiences while in the program. “…it [was] a special tribute to not only our students, but, to Johnson College,” said Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Clinical Coordinator.

Student, Alex Priblo of Olyphant, was pinned by his mother, Marie Priblo.

From Left to Right: Roxanne Caswell, R.T., Clinical Instructor, Jolen Brennan, Dunmore, Leadership Award, Katie Searfoss, Pittston Township, Clinical Achievement Award, Selena Strausser, Scranton, Registry Exam and Mallinckrodt Award of Excellence, Halea Kaplan, Tunkhannock, Robert C. Fisher Clinical Excellence Award, Cheri Chura, West Hazleton, JRCERT (The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology) Certificate of Excellence for Students, Ryan McLain, Scranton, Academic Improvement Award, Joan Bonczek, B.S., R.T., Clinical Coordinator and Jane Maas, M.S., R.T. Program Director

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On Friday, March 6, 2009, all students in the Johnson College Radiologic Technology Program visited the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation in Olyphant.

The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the sterile processes that are necessary within the medical field and to get students more familiar with the expanding technology in the field. The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation deals with the donation of tissues from one human body to another. Instructor, Joan Bonczek, said of the experience, “It was quite dynamic to actually see how they process harvested tissue and bone. The students really enjoyed it.”

“I’m grateful our teachers and classmates worked so hard to arrange our class trip to the MTF,” said senior Selena Strausser from Scranton. “Their work at the facility is as fascinating as it is essential to our job and the improvement of our patients’ quality of life.  It’s hard to believe that such work is done in our own backyard.”

Bottom Row from Left to Right: Jane Mass, Radiologic Technology Chairperson – Pittston, Mallary Ide – Nanticoke

Top Row from Left to Right: Jason Bartoli MTF staff, Michael Berlew MTF staff, Joan Bonczek, Radiologic Technology Clinical Coordinator - Clarks Summit, Elysia Curry – Montrose, Nicolas Giordano – Dickson City, Robert Jenkins – Hawley

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